In response to the Welsh Government’s announcement today, of the appointment of Rhian Bowen-Davies as the new National Adviser for Violence against Women and other forms of Gender Based Violence, Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence, our CEO Eleri Butler said: “Welsh Women’s Aid has been working for nearly four decades in Wales to support survivors to achieve independence and freedom from abuse and to strengthen specialist services and responses, and we look forward to working closely with Rhian Bowen-Davies as the new National Adviser.

"Rhian's experience of leading specialist services at a local level places her in an excellent position to deliver on the challenges we face in Wales to prevent violence and abuse. Most pressing is the need to secure national commitment to a long term funding strategy so that the national network of specialist refuge services across Wales can continue to provide a lifeline for so many abused women and children.

"We hope the Adviser will place the experiences of survivors and specialist services at the centre of any new national Strategy for tackling violence against women in Wales. To achieve change that lasts, we need collective solutions that are needs-led and survivor-informed, focussing not only on the effects of abuse, but also on preventing violence and abuse from happening in the first place.

3 million women across the UK experience rape, domestic violence, forced marriage, stalking, sexual exploitation, trafficking and other forms of violence every year.

End Violence Against Women

Abuse in the home is not a rare problem, it is just rarely admitted as one

Hidden Hurt - http://www.hiddenhurt.co.uk

All Wales Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence Helpline

The All Wales Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence Helpline is a confidential, freephone support and information service for anyone experiencing domestic or sexual abuse or wanting more information on available support services.
Open 24 hours. Click on the logo for more information